Hockley County man indicted in Lubbock SWAT commander's shooting death

Multiple felony charges --including capital murder -- were filed Wednesday against a 22-year-old man arrested in connection with the July 15 fatal shooting of a Lubbock County SWAT commander in Levelland. 

A grand jury in Hockley County returned five indictments against Omar Soto-Chavira, charging him with counts of capital murder of a peace officer or fireman, attempted  capital murder of a peace officer or fireman, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, domestic assault by strangling and continuous violence against a family member. 

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Soto-Chavira has been held at the Hockley County Jail since July 21.

According to the arrest warrant, Soto-Chavira is accused of shooting and killing Sgt. Joshua Bartlett, a nine-year veteran of the Lubbock County Sheriff's Office.

Bartlett and the SWAT team he led traveled to Levelland, where police were engaged in a standoff with a man who shot at officers. 

Earlier in the day, Levelland police responded to the 1100 block of 10th Street, where residents reported a man lying on the ground holding a large weapon described as a rifle, according to the arrest warrant. 

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The man, identified as Soto-Chavira, retreated to his home when police arrived. 

A Levelland police negotiator arrived at the scene, but Soto-Chavira reportedly refused to communicate and shot at police, who returned fire.

Levelland Police Chief Albert Garcia called the Lubbock County Sheriff's SWAT team for backup, the warrant states.

Immediately after the SWAT team arrived, Soto-Chavira reportedly began shooting again. 

One of the bullets struck Bartlett in the neck, while another bullet struck Levelland police Sgt. Shawn Wilson in the head. Another Lubbock County Sheriff's Deputy was struck by a bullet in the hand, the warrant states. 

The officers returned fire and the injured officers were taken to the hospital.

Bartlett was taken to Covenant Medical Center in Levelland, where he died. Wilson is continuing to cover from his wounds.

Soto-Chavira was arrested later that night when the SWAT team forced its way into his house.

He was taken to UMC for treatment for a gunshot wound he reportedly suffered during the shootout with the SWAT team, officials said. 

Hockley County jail records show Soto-Chavira was arrested on June 29 on counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, domestic assault by strangling, continuous violence against family and domestic assault. He was released from jail about four days before the shooting after obtaining surety bonds. 

He remains held at the Hockley County Jail. His bond is set at $500,000.

Capital murder carries a punishment of life without parole, or the death penalty.